World Cup: Brazil leave it late to progress despite Sano's stunner for Japan | OneFootball

Brazil scored late against Japan to qualify for the Round of 16. Both of the first two knockout stage games at the 2026 World Cup decided by injury-time goals as Canada did the same to knockout South Africa the other day.

Japan restricted the record champions to half chances in the first-half, and they took the lead with their only shot on target. Mainz's Kaishu Sano scored with a brilliant effort as the Samurai Blue shocked Carlo Ancelotti’s star-studded squad.

Brazil found solutions at the start of the second-half as Casemiro's header leveled the score before the hydration break. Japan defended with courage until one of the final actions of the game that saw substitute Gabriel Martinelli win it for Brazil with a composed finish in the 96th-minute. 

Japan's wait for a first-ever World Cup knockout stage win continues as all five defeats have been by narrow margins. Brazil will face the winners of the clash between Côte d'Ivoire and Norway.

In addition to Mainz's highly-rated midfielder, FC Bayern's Hiroki Itō played the entire game. Eintracht Frankfurt’s Ritsu Doan was the captain of the side until his early substitution, while Gladbach's Shuto Machino and Werder Bremen's Yukinari Sugawara came off the bench. It was Machino's first and only appearance of the tournament.